Woman, 35, killed in Bristol house explosion minutes after ‘ex-partner forced entry’

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in A woman and her ex-partner died in a house explosion in Bristol minutes after he “forced entry” into the house with a suspected explosive device, police have revealed. Jo Shaw, 35, was killed in the blast at a house in Sterncourt Road on Sunday morning, and her death is being treated by officers as a homicide. Her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41, also died from fatal injuries. Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to a domestic-related incident minutes before the incident. A referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previously reported domestic-related incidents, the force said. At 6.17am, police received a call from a person in the house who said a man who they knew had forced entry to the house. Several crews were sent to the address while the caller stayed on the phone. At approximately 6.30am, the caller said the man was believed to be in possession of an explosive device. Around two minutes later, an explosion occurred at the property. The first officers arrived at the property at 6.34am and were joined by the fire and ambulance services shortly afterwards. open image in gallery There was an explosion at a Bristol house on Sunday morning ( PA ) Although the formal identification process has not yet been completed, the families of the two killed are aware of what has happened, police said. Three other people, including the person who called the police, were treated for minor injuries following the explosion. Superintendent Matt Ebbs said: “Jo’s death has been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information known to us at this time. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death. “We would like to reassure the public there is not believed to be any wider risk to safety and this is not being treated as terrorism-related. “As previously stated, we believe the cause of the explosion to be deliberate. Analysis work of the explosive device has not yet been completed.” open image in gallery Three other people, including a child, suffered minor injuries during the incident at a house in Sterncourt Road ( PA ) Officers worked with Bristol City Council to evacuate people staying in neighbouring properties as a precaution and a temporary rest centre was set up. Extensive searches were carried out by the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal team and specialist police officers to ensure the area was safe before the cordon was reduced on Sunday night, and almost all residents were allowed to return home. A search of an address in Speedwell linked to Mr Kelly concluded over the bank holiday weekend. No evacuations were required at that location. Supt Ebbs added: “Police activity continues to be carried out at the property in Sterncourt Road and we expect this will take several days to be completed. “As previously stated, we believe the cause of the explosion to be deliberate. Analysis work of the explosive device has not yet been completed. “We will share all details of our enquiries with the coroner so they can make a final determination around how the deaths occurred in due course.”